Supplementation with multiple micronutrients and polyunsaturated fatty acids does not improve school performance of obese children in a rural area of Mexico (811.23)

The study investigated the effect of nutrition education and supplementation with multiple micronutrients (MM) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the school performance of obese children in a rural area of Queretaro, Mexico. In a longitudinal, randomized, controlled trial, 134 children (6‐10 y) were assigned to one of two groups: a) 237mL/day of a supplement with MM and PUFA’s (SMP) and nutrition education; b) nutrition education alone (CON). All treatments were administered for 24 wks. Weight, height, waist circumference and body composition (by DXA) were measured at 0 and 24 wks. Diet was evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study using 3 of 24h recalls. School performance was evaluated with school grades before and after the intervention, and with the CONNERS questionnaire applied to parents and teachers at 24 wks. Vitamins A and C intake at baseline was positively associated with Spanish, mathematics and overall grades (p < 0.05). There were no differences between groups in school performance at the end of the study. Also, no significant differences between groups were observed in the CONNERS evaluation of teachers or parents. In conclusion, nutrition education and supplementation with MM and PUFA’s does not improve school performance of obese children living in rural Mexico. Grant Funding Source : Supported by CONACYT